Coleshill’s first match in the F.A.Cup for 23 years was against Herefordshire based Wellington who ply their trade in the Mid Com’s sister league West Midlands Premier. The two sides were evenly matched and played some entertaining stuff in front of 91 spectators, not a bad turn out on a lousy night, but with very little goalmouth action it was left to the goalkeepers to provide the match highlights. Town keeper Greg Allen went on a walkabout to allow the visitors to take the lead on 68 mins but Wellinton’s stopper went one better when he fumbled a James Dance cross and the ball rolled between his legs and over the line for the equaliser.

Town’s early season injury list is growing as Ray Scandrett became the latest victim, Ant McManus stepping in at centre back. Captain Josh McPherson was also missing due to work commitments with Neil Kitching taking over an unfamiliar mid field role.

The rain started as the game kicked off and never relented but it added to the atmosphere as the ball skidded of the slippery surface. Coleshill were the first to show as Danny Carter’s shot hit the post but Greg Allen was called into action with two smart saves before a Wellington shot went just over the bar and a lob going wide of the post. Raddy Richards powered his way to the edge of the box, the keeper failed to hold Richards shot but reacted quickly to block the follow up effort by Michael Campbell. Wellington finished the half with a shot that Allen had to be sharp to save.

The second half was only minutes old when Allen came racing out of his goal but the striker got their first and it took a desperate combined effort by James Dance and David Brush to deflect the goalbound effort over the bar. Wellington were enjoying plenty of possession and they looked a much better side than their league record would suggest. Coleshill hit back with a good move involving Dance, Brush the Neil Kitching turned and shot over from the edge of the box. It looked as though a single goal would win the game and when Keith Jones nipped past the isolated Allen and squeezed a shot past the lunge of Rob Hipkiss and into the net, the writing was on the wall for a Coleshill team who had failed to reach their potential in the three games so far this season. Ant McManus chipped into Michael Campbell and his lay off to Carter was deflected for a corner, the resulting kick desperately cleared. Then came the massive bit off luck that Town needed with James Dance’s cross cum shot dribbled over the line. Coleshill sensed victory but efforts by Campbell, Carter and Brush were either blocked or cleared. The closest effort came from a Kitching cross along the six yard line that Dance flung himself at but could only direct the ball wide of the post.

Coleshill have made history by avoiding defeat for the first time in an F.A.Cup game but Wellington will now fancy themselves in the replay as Coleshill have to make the long journey on Wednesday night. The two sides were so evenly matched the tie could still go either way but the tie must be concluded on the night with extra time and penalties if necessary.